johnnyc

Maybe I'll pick up some junkyard flares to practice on. Thanks for the idea.

Those look really good. So those are original rear MJ flares that have just been sanded down smooth?? Nice.

Doh, I got relegated to the third page. Since my last post, I picked up a 98 front clip, bumper, and fenders to further update the look of the truck. The fenders are off at the body shop getting sandblasted (they were red) and sealed. I'll have to do the header panel myself. These will be installed at the soonest possible moment. I'm still considering a Reflexxion hood. I really want one. The whole truck will be getting painted white and the bed will be Line-X'd, hopefully within a couple of months. I got some really nice black MJ rear flares from the junkyard (sorry Pete). I'll get some black front flares at the next half-price weekend. I was going to use the newer style flares on the new fenders. But I didn't like the look of new flares on the front and older flares on the rear. So it's gonna be older style all the way around. I've recently replaced the power steering box and pump and control arms. I also installed a tranny cooler and a 97+ aux fan. Last night, I picked up a free set of MT/Rs to replace my worn out ones. Not much different from my last picture.

Most of the 17 inch Wrangler wheels have the wrong bolt pattern. They are 5 on 5, while our trucks are 5 on 4.5. Usually Wrangler wheels up to 2006 have the 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern. In 2007 and later Wranglers, it's 5 on 5. Look for wheels with 3.75 - 4 inches of backspacing.

Moab's got trails for everybody, from scenic to ridiculous. A stock open/open Jeep can run a lot of trails in Moab. And the Rubicon Trail is a 17-mile trail. It's not a bunch of different trails. The only optional part is the Little Sluice. We had a guy do the Rubicon open/open on 31" tires. But I prefer two lockers and 33" tires. :)

Sometimes you can drive it. The entrance to Lion's Back is on private property. The guy who owns the land charges people to go up and down. But if he's not home, he locks the gate, and there's zero access.

A double diaphragm booster is about twice the size of a single diaphragm booster. :D All MJs have a single diaphragm booster. The double diaphragm booster didn't arrive in the XJ until 1995. A lot of people have done the XJ or WJ booster swap. I picked up a WJ booster and master from the JY for $20. I'll get it installed one of these days.

Some years ago when I was putting an aftermarket bumper on my 96 XJ, I just made a straight cut across with an air nibbler. Then I covered the edge with some rubber door edge moulding. Didn't even think about doing it Marcus' way. His way turned out nicer than mine.

Rubicon Trail - June 2008 Moab - October 2007

Rubicon Trail - June 2008 Moab - October 2007

Yes. My buddy had some 4.56 gears and locker out of an old Dodge D44. Then he bought a new Rubicon D44 housing and put all the internals into it. He's been running it for a few years on his MJ. And TJ shafts work in an XJ/MJ housing. So they gotta be the exact same width.

In a real pinch, the short side shaft will work on the long side. You just won't have total spline engagement. But it's good to get you off the trail. I know people who only carry a short side shaft.

A Venezuelan XJ Dana 44 would bolt right in. But you'd have to get permission from Hugo Chavez to get one out of the country. ;) I saw one on eBay a while back. I believe it went for about $1500.

Well, my "location" says Costa Mesa. ;) So we're pretty close. <<<

Congrats on the wedding. :cheers: Orange County, California?? What city?

One of my NAXJA buddies just bought that MJ. :D

Yeah, the West Coast is a pretty large area. :D If it's in SoCal, I'll go look at it for you.

I'm curious about the same thing for a shortbed.

Yeah, if I can find a set of the darker panels, I'd get them. I don't really care for the faux wood trim on the ones I have. But I can live with them for now. After all, Pete sold me the doors and wired them for a really good price. :brows:

I also have the later door moulding. Actually put that on before I got the new doors. The glovebox door hitting the door panel isn't an issue with me. The door opens enough to get things in and out. Plus, how many times do I really open the glovebox anyways?

What kind of pictures do you want Paul? Image Not Found This is the only downside to adding 97+ doors with power. There would be no interference with manual doors. Image Not Found

No, that was one of Pete's MJs. I just have an AW4. And thanks again Paul. :cheers:

Wow, thanks for the kind words Paul. The MJ is an ongoing work in progress. Next is the 97+ front clip swap. Then hopefully by the end of the year, it'll get a nice new paint job and a Line-Xed bed. Then the only direction from there is.....UP. :D

You want the bucket seats?? :D You can have them...they're pretty trashed. I've got a line on some nicer ones. Paul, I replied to your thread in the Tech forum. The wiring is a major pain. That took us several hours to complete.. Like I said, there will be a writeup soon in JP Magazine. I believe that Pete will have a complete listing of what wires go where...if he can read his scribbled notes.